The Cheer Biz Podcast

Hot Takes with Dan: Unfiltered Opinions on Cheer, Coaching, and Business

Buckle up, because this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast is all about hot takes! Host Dan Cotton dives into some controversial opinions on cheerleading, gym ownership, coaching strategies, and industry norms. From why non-tumbling teams shouldn't get paid bids to why we need to stop obsessing over "hitting zero," Dan lays it all out with no filter.

He also shares his thoughts on the best cheer business conference in the industry, why gym owners should rethink industry standards, and how coaches can improve their communication with athletes. Whether you agree or disagree, this episode is packed with bold insights that will get you thinking.

Lessons from NCA 2025: How the Cheer Industry Can Improve Safety & Preparedness

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton shares his insights on the lessons learned from the 2025 NCA Nationals incident and what gym owners, event producers, and the cheer industry as a whole can do to improve safety and emergency preparedness. Drawing from his background as a military officer, law enforcement professional, and active threat response trainer, Dan breaks down key areas for improvement—including security measures, staff training, emergency protocols, and athlete safety plans.

From armed officers at events to reunification protocols for gyms, this episode is packed with actionable recommendations to ensure a safer future for cheerleading competitions. Tune in for a candid discussion on what went wrong, what could have been done better, and how we can move forward as an industry.

 Disclaimer: This episode discusses emergency situations and safety responses. Listener discretion is advised.

Breaking Down the NCA 2025 Incident: What Happened?

In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton provides an in-depth reaction to the incident at NCA Nationals 2025 in Dallas. With a background in military service, law enforcement, and active threat response training, Dan analyzes the confusion surrounding the event, why there were conflicting reports, and whether the available evidence supports claims of gunfire.

 Disclaimer: This episode is based on secondhand accounts, professional training, and logical analysis, not firsthand experience. It is not intended to invalidate anyone’s lived experience or emotions but rather to provide context, clarity, and perspective on why reports varied and how similar events unfold in high-stress environments.

Dan also addresses conspiracy theories, the law enforcement response, and safety takeaways for gym owners, athletes, and event organizers. Stay tuned for Part 2, where he will break down what the industry can learn from this and how we can improve safety at major cheer events.

Navigating Trauma & Moving Forward: Lessons from NCA 2025 with Jeff Benson

Navigating Trauma & Moving Forward: Lessons from NCA 2025 with Jeff Benson

Description - This special impromptu episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast dives into the emotional aftermath of NCA Nationals 2025. Dan Cotton is joined by mental resilience expert Jeff Benson to discuss how gym owners, coaches, athletes, and parents can process, heal, and move forward after the traumatic events that unfolded.

 

In this essential conversation, we cover:

 Understanding trauma responses – Why some people seem “fine” while others are deeply affected

 Signs of lingering trauma in athletes, staff, and parents

 How gym owners should approach debriefing with their teams and families

 The power of grounding techniques & mental resilience strategies to help athletes cope

 Why empathy is key in supporting athletes and families through difficult experiences

 

Whether your gym was at NCA or not, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to build emotional resilience in your program and prepare for handling high-stress situations in the future.

 

 Listen now and learn how to support your athletes in the wake of crisis.

 

#CheerBizPodcast #MentalResilience #NCA2025 #TraumaSupport #CheerSafety #CheerGymOwners

Your Math Is Lying to You: How Gym Owners Get Pricing Wrong

Are you really charging what you need to keep your gym successful? In this fiery episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down why bad math can ruin your gym’s finances—and how to make sure your pricing is actually setting you up for success.

Dan tackles:
 Why working backward on pricing is a huge mistake
 The hidden expenses gym owners forget to factor in (and how they cost you thousands)
 How to build a real profit margin that allows your business to grow
 The non-negotiable rule of raising prices every year (and how to get parents on board)
 The simple pricing check that could save your gym from disaster

If you’re a gym owner setting next season’s pricing—or struggling to make the numbers work—this episode is a must-listen. Your pricing decisions today will impact your success all year long. Are you getting it right?

 Tune in now to make sure your math isn’t lying to you!

#CheerBizPodcast #CheerGymOwners #PricingStrategy #ChargeWhatYoureWorth #AllStarCheer #BusinessGrowth

When Competitions Get Canceled: Lessons from the COA Weekend

What happens when a major competition cancels an entire day of performances? In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton reacts to COA’s decision to cancel Day 1 due to a server and internet failure—a move that sent shockwaves through the cheer community.

 

Dan breaks down:

 The fallout from the cancellation and how gym owners, coaches, and parents reacted

 Why COA made the decision and whether it was the right call

 The importance of redundancy and backup plans for cheer businesses and competitions

 How gym owners should handle cancellations within their own programs

 Why venting on social media doesn’t solve problems—and what to do instead

 

This episode isn’t just about the COA situation—it’s about how to prepare for the unexpected and make the best decisions for your athletes, staff, and business when things don’t go as planned.

 

 Tune in now for real talk on event management, handling setbacks, and turning frustrations into valuable business lessons.

 

#CheerBizPodcast #CheerCompetitions #CheerGymOwners

Rethinking Tryouts: How to Streamline Team Placements for Success

Tryout season is one of the most crucial times of the year for a cheer gym, and how you run your evaluations can make or break your season. In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down how and why he structures team placements the way he does at Oregon Dream Teams.

 

Listen in as Dan shares:

 Why he prefers evaluations over traditional tryouts

 How using a tiered registration system increases early commitment

 The role of skill rubrics, level evaluations, and athlete tracking

 Why stunting isn’t a primary factor in initial placements

 The importance of ongoing level group practices before finalizing teams

 Why he doesn’t do team reveals and what he does instead

 

If you’re struggling with team placements, dealing with frustrated parents, or just looking to refine your tryout process for next season, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make the best decisions for your athletes and your gym.

 

 Listen now and take control of your tryout season!

 

#CheerBizPodcast #CheerGymOwners #AllStarCheer #TeamPlacements #TryoutSeason #CompetitiveCheer #CheerEvaluations

When Your Cheer Team is Struggling: How to Identify and Fix the Root Issues

Every gym owner and coach will face it at some point—a team that just isn’t performing the way they should. But what do you do when your athletes are struggling? In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down the real reasons teams struggle and how to identify whether the issue is culture, conditioning, skills, or coaching.

 

Drawing from 23 years of coaching experience, Dan shares insights on:

 How to pinpoint whether the problem is physical execution or team culture

 Why band-aid solutions don’t work and how to find the root cause

 The importance of enforcing standards and making necessary changes

 How conditioning, repetition, and mindset affect consistency

 The power of bringing in outside perspectives and when to ask for help

 

If you’re struggling with a team that can’t seem to hit, lacks focus, or isn’t buying in—this episode is a must-listen. There’s still time to turn things around this season!

 

 Listen now and share this episode with another coach or gym owner who needs it!

 

#CheerBizPodcast #CheerCoaching #CompetitiveCheer #CheerGymOwners #AllStarCheer #TeamCulture #Cheerleading

10 Ways to Stay Broke as a Cheer Gym Owner (And How to Fix Them)

Are you making these mistakes that are keeping your gym from financial success? In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, host Dan Cotton dives into the 10 biggest ways gym owners sabotage their own success—and how to fix them.

 Are you guilty of these business killers?
 Waiting until "tomorrow" to take action
 Reading books but never implementing
 Taking advice from the wrong people
 Letting your staff make business decisions
 Avoiding discomfort and growth
 Blaming circumstances instead of finding solutions
 Allowing guilt to hold you back
 Complaining without taking action
 Doing ordinary work but expecting extraordinary results
 Assuming you're always right

This episode is a wake-up call for gym owners who want to stop struggling and start thriving. If you're ready to level up your business, make smarter financial decisions, and finally pay yourself what you're worth, this is the episode you can't afford to miss.

 Plus, get details on upcoming NextGen Conferences in Orlando and Dallas, designed to help you take your gym to the next level!

 Listen now and take control of your gym’s financial future! #CheerBizPodcast #GymOwnerSuccess #StopPlayingSmall

Maximizing Your All-Star Packet for the 2025-2026 Season

Your All-Star Packet isn't just an informational document—it’s your biggest sales tool! In this episode of The Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down how to make the most out of your All-Star packet release for the 2025-2026 season. He shares why your packet should focus on selling your program rather than overwhelming parents with unnecessary rules, the importance of email and phone number collection for marketing, and how automated follow-up sequences can boost registrations.

Plus, Dan explains why tiered registration pricing can encourage early sign-ups and help you predict next season’s success. Whether you're finalizing your packet or starting from scratch, these strategies will streamline your process and increase conversions.

 Want more help? Learn how NextGen Owners can guide you through this process—visit nextgenowners.com and join the Academy!

 Check out Dan’s book: Charge What You’re Worth—available now on Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books!

 Listen now and start setting up your best All-Star season yet!